At Wrestle Kingdom 17, Zack Sabre Jr. would win his first singles title in NJPW when he defeated Ren Narita to become the inaugural NJPW World Television Champion. During New Years Dash, Tomohiro Ishii would step up as his first challenger – giving ZSJ an old foe to contend with. The 15 minute time limit puts more pressure on Ishii than ZSJ, as he needs to work fast to defeat ZSJ – while a time limit draw would see the championship stay put. They’ve had some violent brawls in the build to this match – meaning they probably will start hot tonight.
Tomohiro Ishii Has Just 15 Minutes To Become Champion
Prior to this match, ZSJ would declare that he would defeat Ishii in just five minutes – and would start with a wrist lock before trading rear waist locks. ZSJ would try to slip in a quick pinfall, only for Ishii to resist and apply the Hammerlock. Ishii would swing and miss with a forearm smash, only to duck a roundhouse kick and make contact using the shoulder tackle.
ZSJ & Ishii would trade kicks to the side, before Ishii would quickly break a Cobra Twist with a hip toss. Somehow, ZSJ ended up on top of Ishii and hit the neck crank in the middle of the ring. If Ishii wants to play Tekkers, ZSJ is glad to show him how it’s done – but would focus in with some stiff strikes in the corner before trying to wrap him up in the middle of the ring.
We would pass the five minute mark, and Ishii was still very much in this fight – tossing ZSJ with a suplex as he blocked the Tornado DDT. ZSJ would take some vicious chops in the corner, his legs giving out as Ishii striked. Backdrop Driver would follow – and while ZSJ tried to resist, he’d land on his neck in the end.
Ishii would be taken down to the mat and had his right elbow stomped into the match – before applying the cross armbreaker. ZSJ would be stacked in the ring and stomped as Ishii would ensure he got freedom. Some mocking kicks to the head would fire up ZSJ – leading to an arm wrench, shoulder breaker, before a sliding lariat to the left arm.
Zack Sabre Jr. Shows Ishii What Strong Style Means
The fast pace of this match was catching up to both men, as they traded strikes in the middle of the ring. Ishii would hit the headbutt before a suplex, and while ZSJ fired back with a kick to the arm – he’d keep moving and ram ZSJ to the mat as we passed the ten minute mark.
Ishii would hit a Tenryu style powerbomb into a pinfall, with ZSJ able to grab a double armbar in the process. The ropes were near, and the instincts of Ishii ensured he got free – before applying a Cobra Twist. ZSJ would twist, and Ishii would hit a YOSHI-TONIC for a near fall.
Ishii & ZSJ would trade German Suplexes, as time started to run out. ZSJ just needed to keep surviving, while Ishii had a three minute warning. He’d nail the lariat before trying to the Vertical Drop Brainbuster, with ZSJ countering into the European Clutch. Ishii would keep coming forward, and took a Dragon Suplex for a near fall.
ZSJ would hit a PK to the back of the neck, and would look for Zack Driver. Ishii would resist and hit the Enziguri as the one minute call arrived. Sliding lariat was blocked before Zack Driver got the victory just before time ran out – 14:48 as the official time. Zack Sabre Jr. remains the NJPW World Television Champion.
Who can beat ZSJ in just 15 minutes? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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